Method for play synchronization and device using the same

ABSTRACT

A method for play synchronization and a device using the same are provided. A first device stores time-based content play information. The first device plays content according to the time-based content play information. The first device transmits the time-based content play information to a second device so that the second device plays the content according to the time-based content play information. Accordingly, the content played by one device can be played by another device concurrently.

PRIORITY

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser.No. 12/862,427, which was filed in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office onAug. 24, 2010, and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(a) to KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2009-0078326, filed on Aug. 24, 2009, in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the contents of each of which areincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a method for playsynchronization and a device using the same, and more particularly, to amethod for playing contents through a plurality of devices and a deviceusing the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

With the advent of digital devices, users today have a variety ofdigital devices at their disposal.

Digital devices assist in bringing about convenience and affluence.Digital technology has been developed quickly in recent years, therebyachieving even higher performance and diversity.

However, people continue to seek answers in digital devices of evenhigher performance and functionality.

There is a limit in the amount of function that a single digital devicecan provide. Accordingly, digital devices are required to operate inconvergence to create a new function that the digital device cannotprovide alone.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made to address at least the aboveproblems and/or disadvantages and to provide at least the advantagesdescribed below.

Accordingly, an aspect of the present invention provides a method ofplay synchronization and a device using the same, according to whichdevices other than a first device can play the same content as the firstdevice.

According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for playsynchronization is provided. A first device stores time-based contentplay information. The first device plays content according to thetime-based content play information. The first device transmits thetime-based content play information to a second device so that thesecond device plays the content according to the time-based content playinformation.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a playsynchronization device is provided for synchronizing content playoperation among devices. The play synchronization device includes astorage unit that stores time-based content play information, a contentplay unit that plays content according to the time-based content playinformation, and a network interface that transmits the time-basedcontent play information to another device so that the other deviceplays the content according to the time-based content play information.

According to an additional aspect of the present invention, a playsynchronization system is provided for synchronizing content playoperation between a first device and a second device. The playsynchronization system includes the first device that stores time-basedcontent play information, plays content according to the time-basedcontent play information, and transmits the time-based content playinformation to the second device so that the second device plays thecontent according to the time-based content play information. The playsynchronization system also includes the second device that synchronizesthe time-based content play operation with the first device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be more apparent from the following detailed descriptionwhen taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a play synchronization process ofelectronic frames at remote distances, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating a play synchronization process ofelectronic frames at remote distances, according to another embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a timeline, according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating generation of text content using amobile phone, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating generation of audio content using amobile phone, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram illustrating an electronic frame,according to an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 7 is a detailed block diagram illustrating a mobile phone,according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail withreference to the accompanying drawings.

In the following description, the same or similar drawing referencenumerals may be used for the same elements even in different drawings.The matters defined in the description, such as detailed constructionand elements, are provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding ofthe present inventive concept. Accordingly, it is apparent that theembodiments of the present invention can be carried out without thosespecifically defined matters. Also, detailed descriptions ofconstructions or processes known in the art may be omitted to avoidobscuring the subject matter of the present invention.

Furthermore, in the following description, an electronic frame isexemplified as the device for convenience of explanation. However, it isapparent that the inventive concept is not limited to this specificexample, but applicable to various other examples. For example, anelectronic book or a Large Format Display (LFD) may be implemented asthe device.

1. Play Synchronization of Electronic Frames by Sharing ManipulationCommand

FIG. 1 is a flow diagram illustrating a process of play synchronizationof electronic frames at remote distances, according to an embodiment ofthe present invention. The term ‘play synchronization’ refers to a statein which a plurality of electronic frames play the same content in areal-time basis.

In the specific example explained below, it is assumed that the playsynchronization is performed such that all the electronic frames share amanipulation command inputted to one of the electronic frames, as willbe explained in greater detail below.

Referring to FIG. 1, if a play synchronization command is inputted to amaster electronic frame 110 at step S205, the master electronic frame110 sets a connection so as to enable communication with a slaveelectronic device 120 in step S210.

If the connection setting at step S210 is completed, the masterelectronic frame 110 receives a manipulation command related to contentplay from a user at step S215.

The manipulation command inputted at step S215 may include: i) a commandto play selected content; ii) a command to pause; iii) a command tostop; iv) a command to play the next content; v) a command to play theprevious content; and vi) a command to set visual effect in case of achange of content/edit.

The command to play selected content may be directed to play not onlyone type of content, but also other types of content.

Herein, the phrase ‘to play one type of content’ may include: a) to playphoto content only; or b) to play video content only.

Herein, the phrase ‘to play video content only’ may include: b1) to playphoto content together with audio content; b2) to play photo contenttogether with text content; b3) to play audio content together with textcontent; or b4) to play photo content together with audio and textcontents.

The term ‘text content’ herein may include: c1) content including a textregarding an additional explanation about photo content; and c2) contentincluding an additional explanation or lyrics of the audio content. Thetext included in the text content may be generated by the user.

The term ‘audio content’ herein may include: d1) music content; and d2)content including a voice explaining the photo content. In the latter'scase, the voice may be generated by the user.

If the manipulation command related to the content play is inputted atstep S215, the master electronic frame 110 transmits the inputtedmanipulation command related to the content play, and content necessaryto perform the inputted manipulation command, to the slave electronicframe 120, in step S220.

The content transmitted at step S220 may vary depending on themanipulation command inputted at step S215, which will be explained ingreater detail below.

If the manipulation command inputted at step S215 directs to play onlyone selected content, only one selected content is transmitted at stepS220.

If the manipulation command inputted at step S215 directs to play theselected different types of content together, the selected differenttypes of content are transmitted at step S220.

If the manipulation command inputted at step S215 directs to play thenext content, the next content is transmitted at step S220.

If the manipulation commands include the command to pause, the commandto stop, the command to play the previous content, or the command to setvisual effect in case of content change/edit, the manipulation commandis transmitted alone at step S220.

If the transmission of the manipulation command and the content iscompleted between the master electronic frame 110 and the slaveelectronic frame 120, at step S225, the master electronic frame 110performs the manipulation command inputted at step S215.

At step S230, during the operation of step S225, the slave electronicframe 120 also performs the manipulation command received at step S220.

Since the master electronic frame 110 and the slave electronic frame 120play the same content at steps S225 and S230, the operations of the twoare in synchronization with each other.

If a user inputs a manipulation command related to the content play tothe slave electronic frame 120 during the synchronized content play atstep S235, the slave electronic frame 120 transmits the inputted commandrelated to the content play to the master electronic frame 110 in stepS240.

If the transmission of the manipulation command between the slaveelectronic frame 120 and the master electronic frame 110 is completed,at step S245, the slave electronic frame 120 performs the manipulationcommand inputted at step S235.

During the operation of step S245, the master electronic frame 110 alsoperforms the manipulation command received at step S240, at step S250.

As a result, the master electronic frame 110 and the slave electronicframe 120 are able to bi-directionally synchronize the operation of thecontent.

If the devices are implemented as electronic books, the devices maysynchronize with respect to the text content played by the electronicbook, and if the devices are implemented as LFDs, the devices maysynchronize with respect to the advertisement content played by the LFD.

2. Play Synchronization of Electronic Frames Through Sharing of aTimeline

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating the play synchronization of theelectronic frames at remote distances, according to another embodimentof the present invention. The play synchronization is exemplified asbeing performed by the electronic frames in a manner of sharing atimeline, as will be explained in greater detail below.

Referring to FIG. 2, if a user generates a timeline using the masterelectronic frame 110 at step S305, the master electronic frame 110stores the generated timeline at step S310.

The term ‘timeline’ refers to a project file related to playingdifferent types of content which have a previously set play order andrespective intervals, and also related to content play according totime. FIG. 3 illustrates one example of the timeline, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

The timeline exemplified in FIG. 3 enables playing of photo, audio andtext contents in combination. Specifically, the timeline illustrated inFIG. 3 sets the playing in a manner such that,

1) for video effect, photos are played in a sequence of photo-1(P1)→photo-2 (P2)→photo-3 (P3)→ . . . →photo-100 (P100);

2) for subtitle effect, texts are played in a sequence of text-1(T1)→text-2 (T2)→text-3 (T3)→ . . . →text-100 (T100) along with theplaying of photo-1 (P1)→photo-2 (P2)→photo-3 (P3)→ . . . →photo-100(P100), respectively; and

3) for audio effect, audios are played in a sequence of audio-2(A2)→audio-3 (A3)→ . . . →audio-100 (A100) along with the playing ofphoto-2 (P2)→photo-3 (P3)→ . . . →photo-100 (P100), respectively.

Referring back to FIG. 2, if a user inputs a command to synchronize theplay operation using the master electronic frame 110 in step S315, themaster electronic frame 110 sets a connection so as to be able tocommunicate with the slave electronic frame 120 in step S320.

If the connection is set at step S320, the master electronic frame 110transmits the timeline stored at step S310 and the contents necessaryfor playing by the timeline to the slave electronic frame 120, at stepS325. In one example, if the connection is set at step S320, the masterelectronic frame 110 may transmit the timeline stored at step S310 andthe location information of the contents necessary for playing by thetimeline in the master electronic frame 110, to the slave electronicframe 120. As a result, the slave electronic frame 120 is able to playthe content according to the location information and the timeline.

If the transmission of the timeline and the contents between the masterelectronic frame 110 and the slave electronic frame 120 is completed, atstep S330, the master electronic frame 110 plays the contents accordingto the timeline stored at step S310.

During the operation of step S330, the slave electronic frame 120 alsoplays the contents according to the received timeline, at step S335.

Since the master electronic frame 110 and the slave electronic frame 120play the contents based on the same timeline at steps S330 and S335, thecontent play operations are synchronized with each other.

During the synchronized content play operation, the master electronicframe 110 and the slave electronic frame 120 may share the manipulationcommand at step S340.

In one example, the content play by the manipulation command may begiven a higher priority than the content play by the timeline.Additionally, the timeline-based content play operation may resume if apredetermined time lapses from the completion of the command-basedcontent play operation without input of additional manipulation command.

Since the sharing of the manipulation command between the masterelectronic frame 110 and the slave electronic frame 120 can be easilyinferred from FIG. 1, additional explanation is omitted for the sake ofbrevity.

The slave electronic frame 120 may store the timeline received at stepS325. In this case, the slave electronic frame 120 may be able to playthe content according to the stored timeline as necessary.

As described above, since the information related to the playing of thecontent is provided instead of directly providing content to thecorresponding devices to synchronize the content play operations of thedevices, the contents can be synchronously played in a real-time basis.

3. Generating Text Content Using a Mobile Phone

The text content may be provided for additional explanation about thephoto content, and may generated by the user.

The user may input the text content using a text-input keyboard screendisplayed on the master electronic frame 110, or through a mobile phone130 as the one illustrated in FIG. 4.

There is no time limit for generating the text content using the mobilephone 130. Typically, the text content is generated before the contentplay synchronization, but the text content may also be generated afterthe content play synchronization starts.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example where the text content isgenerated through the mobile phone 130 after the content playsynchronization has begun, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The master electronic frame 110 receives the text contentgenerated through the mobile phone 130, and displays the received textcontent in a manner overlapping the currently-played photo content.

Additionally, the master electronic frame 110 transmits the text contentto the slave electronic frame 120 so that the slave electronic frame 120also displays the received text content in a manner overlapping the samephoto content.

Although the text content is explained as being generated using themobile phone, this is only for illustrative purposes, and therefore, thesame process may be applied to other devices including electronic books,or LFDs.

4. Generating Audio Content Using a Mobile Phone

The audio content may be provided for additional explanation about thephoto content, and may be generated by the user.

If the master electronic frame 110 is equipped with a microphone, theuser may generate audio content using the microphone. If the masterelectronic frame 110 has no microphone, the user may generate the audiocontent using the mobile phone 130, as illustrated in FIG. 5.

There is no time limit for generating the audio content using the mobilephone 130. Typically, the audio content would have been generated beforethe content play synchronization, but it may also be generated after thecontent play synchronization starts.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example where the audio content isgenerated through the mobile phone 130 after the content playsynchronization has begun, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Referring to FIG. 5, the master electronic frame 110 receivesthe audio content generated through the mobile phone 130, and plays thereceived audio content along with the currently-played photo content.

Additionally, the master electronic frame 110 transmits the audiocontent to the slave electronic frame 120 so that the slave electronicframe 120 plays the received audio content together with the same photocontent.

Although the audio content is explained as being generated using themobile phone, this is only for illustrative purposes, and therefore, thesame process may be applied to other devices including electronic books,or LFDs.

5. Deleting Content

The operations performed among the devices in response to a command todelete the stored content from the master electronic frame 110, aredescribed below according to an embodiment of the present invention.

If a command to delete the stored content from the master electronicframe 110 is inputted, the master electronic frame 110 deletes thecontent according to the inputted command, and may transmit the deletecommand to the slave electronic frame 120 so that the slave electronicframe 120 also deletes the content.

Alternatively, if a command to delete the stored content is inputted tothe master electronic frame 110, the master electronic frame 110 may notdelete the content, but transmit the command to the slave electronicframe 120 so that the slave electronic frame 120 deletes thecorresponding content. In other words, the content may not be deletedfrom the master electronic frame 110, but from the slave electronicframe 120, when the command to delete the stored content is inputted tothe master electronic frame 110.

6. Others

In the examples explained above, the synchronization of content playoperations between the master electronic frame 110 and the slaveelectronic frame 120 are initiated in response to the input of a user'scommand to start the synchronization. However, this is described onlyfor illustrative purposes, and other examples are possible.

For example, if the user previously sets the slave electronic frame 120as the synchronization device for the master electronic frame 110 interms of the content play operation, the two devices may performsynchronization of content play operations without requiring a user'scommand. Specifically, the user may only need to input ‘manipulationcommand related with content play’ or ‘command to play according totimeline’ to initiate the synchronization between the master electronicframe 110 and the slave electronic frame 120.

7. Detailed Structure of the Devices

7.1 Electronic Frame

FIG. 6 is a detailed block diagram of the master electronic frame 110and the slave electronic frame 120, according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. In the description below, both electronic frames 110,120 are referred to as the ‘electronic frame’.

Referring to FIG. 6, an electronic frame may include a content play unit101, a touch screen 102, a control unit 103, a storage unit 104, and anetwork interface 105.

The content play unit 101 has the main function of the electronic frame,specifically, the playing the stored content from the storage unit 104.

The touch screen 132 may function as a display, i.e., displaying thecontent played by the content play unit 101 and the Graphical UserInterface (GUI), and may function as an input, i.e., receiving a usercommand inputted in the form of touching.

The storage unit 104 provides a storage space to store the contentsreceived from the external device through the network interface 105 orfrom the external networks.

The network interface 105 is communicatively connected to the nearbymobile phone 130 and other electronic frames, and may be communicativelyconnected to an external device that stores content therein or to anexternal network that provides the contents.

The control unit 103 controls the content play unit 101, the touchscreen 102, the storage unit 104, and the network interface 105 toperform the operations illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

7.2 Electronic Books

The structure of a master electronic book and a slave electronic bookare described in detail below. Both electronic books are referred to asthe ‘electronic book’.

An electronic book may include a content play unit, a touch screen, acontrol unit, a storage unit, and a network interface.

The content play unit has the main function of the electronic book,specifically, the function of playing the stored text content from thestorage unit.

The touch screen may function as a display, i.e., displaying the textcontent played by the content play unit and the GUI, and may function asan input, i.e., receiving a user command inputted in the form oftouching. Additionally, the touch screen of the slave electronic bookmay display the effect as if the actual book page is flipped over, ifthe user turns the page of the electronic book, causing the text contenton the master electronic book to be turned to the next page.

The storage unit provides a storage space to store the text contentsreceived from the external device through the network interface or fromthe external networks.

The network interface is communicatively connected to the nearby mobilephone and other electronic books, and may be communicatively connectedto an external device that stores text content therein or to an externalnetwork that provides the text content.

The control unit controls the content play unit, the touch screen, thestorage unit, and the network interface to perform the operationsillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

7.3 Large Format Displays (LFDs)

The structure of a master LFD and a slave LFD are described in detailbelow. Both LFDs are referred to as the ‘LFD’.

An LFD may include a content play unit, a touch screen, a control unit,a storage unit, and a network interface.

The content play unit has the main function of the LFD, specifically,the function of playing the stored advertisement content from thestorage unit.

The touch screen may function as a display, i.e., displaying theadvertisement content played by the content play unit and the GUI, andmay function as an input, i.e., receiving a user command inputted in theform of touching.

The storage unit provides a storage space to store the advertisementcontents received from the external device through the network interfaceor from the external networks.

The network interface is communicatively connected to the nearby mobilephone and other electronic books, and may be communicatively connectedto an external device that stores advertisement content therein or to anexternal network that provides the advertisement content.

The control unit controls the content play unit, the touch screen, thestorage unit, and the network interface to perform the operationsillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

7.4 Mobile Phones

FIG. 7 is a detailed block diagram of the mobile phone 130, according toan embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, the mobilephone 130 may include a mobile communication unit 131, a touch screen132, a control unit 133, a storage unit 134, and a network interface135.

The mobile communication unit 131 has the main and supplementaryfunctions of the mobile phone 130, including functions such as, mobilephone calling, SMS, DMB broadcast reception, or photographing.

The touch screen 132 may function as a display, i.e., the function ofdisplaying the screens necessary for the mobile phone calling orprovision of SMS, DMB broadcast, contents, and the GUI, and may alsofunction as an input, i.e., receiving a user command inputted in theform of touching.

The touch screen 132 may display the GUI including a text-input keyboardscreen for use in generating the text content to be transmitted to theelectronic frame.

The storage unit 134 provides a storage space to store the programs anddata necessary for the driving of the mobile phone 130, and contents.

The network interface 135 is communicatively connected to the nearbyelectronic frame. The network interface 135 transmits the text contentand the audio content, generated by the user, to the nearby electronicframes.

The control unit 133 controls the mobile communication unit 131, thetouch screen 132, the storage unit 134, and the network interface 135 toperform the operations illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2.

7.5 Other Devices

Although the electronic frames, mobile phone 130, electronic books, andLFDs are used as examples to explain certain embodiments of the presentinvention, it is understood that other types of devices can also beimplemented.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and detail may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for providing contents, comprising thesteps of: reproducing a plurality of contents, at the first device;transmitting the plurality of contents from the first device to a seconddevice to reproduce, in the second device, content in synchronizationwith the first device; receiving data from an external device during thereproducing of the plurality of contents at the first device;reproducing the received data along with at least one of the pluralityof contents being reproduced at the first device; and transmitting, fromthe first device, the received data to the second device, thetransmitted data being used to enable the second device to reproduce thetransmitted data together with the at least one of the plurality ofcontents.
 2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: when amanipulation command is inputted at the first device reproducing, at thefirst device, the content according to the inputted manipulationcommand; and transmitting, from the first device, the manipulationcommand to the second device so that the second device reproducesaccording to the manipulation command.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: when a command to delete the content is inputted at thefirst device, transmitting, from the first device, the command to deleteto the second device so that the second device deletes the contentaccording to the command to delete.
 4. The method of claim 3, furthercomprising, when the command to delete the content is inputted at thefirst device, deleting the content according to the inputted command todelete at the first device.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein, when thefirst device and the second device are electronic frames, the contentcomprises photo content or video content reproduced on the first deviceand the second device.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein, when the firstdevice and the second device are electronic books, the content comprisestext content reproduced on the first device and the second device. 7.The method of claim 1, wherein, when the first device and the seconddevice are Large Format Displays (LFDs), the content comprisesadvertisement content reproduced on the first device and the seconddevice.
 8. A device for synchronizing content play operation amongdevices, comprising: a memory for storing a plurality of contents; acommunication unit for communicating with another device; a processorfor reproducing the plurality of contents, transmitting the plurality ofcontents to the other device to reproduce content in synchronizationwith the device, receiving data from an external device during thereproducing of the content at the device, providing the received dataalong with at least one of the plurality of contents and transmittingthe received data to the other device, the transmitted data being usedto enable the other device to reproduce the transmitted data togetherwith the at least one of the plurality of contents.
 9. A system forsynchronizing content play operation between a first device and a seconddevice, the system comprising: the first device that reproduces aplurality of contents, transmits the plurality of contents to the seconddevice, reproduces data along with at least one of the plurality ofcontents being reproduced at the first device when the data is receivedfrom an external device during the reproducing of the plurality ofcontents at the first device, and transmits the received data to thesecond device; and the second device that receives the plurality ofcontents from the first device, reproduces the plurality of contents,receives the data from the first device, and reproduces the datatogether with the at least one of the plurality of contents.